First night, what to do?

[MomofCKJ]

We get into Orlando at 2pm. I am trying to decide what to do the first night. We have 7 day hoppers so I don't mind going to a park. I *think* from what i have seen that Mickey's Christmas Party will be happening that night (12/15 Friday) at MK and we are opting out of doing that so MK is out. What I have narrowed down to is either:

1. Chef Mickey's for dinner and then maybe just monorail around the hotels and see some of the Christmas displays

or

2. Garden Grill for dinner and a little bit of Future World at Epcot


It is our kids first trip so I want to do something when we arrive and I thought a Character dinner would be a nice way to begin. However it will have been a long day of travelling so I don't want to push it and have them be cranky and overtired their first day. I would rather have an early night so we can get an early start on Saturday and enjoy it.

Thoughts?

Allyson

 

[bleeps]

You don't mention your kids' ages, but in our experience (DS is now 8, with 3 WDW trips under his belt) it is best NOT to do a park on a first night after a tough day of travel. It is because it is SO hard to tear yourself away from a park once you are there, and in our family that has meant pushing the exhaustion level past overload and starting the vacation off with a need to recover!

My vote would be to do your Chef Mickey's and monorail idea -- a fun meal with characters, LOTS to see and do at the monorail hotels, and an easy transition back to the hotel and sleep so that you are fresh for the next day. Other parents may disagree, but for all of us, really, it is just too hard to walk out of a park after a short little taste of it....

 

[MomofCKJ]

Thanks, they will be 9,7 and 4 at time of the trip. That is a good point, a short stay might make it a tough exit. Maybe wait till Sat to actually hit a park and keep Fri low key but fun with the CM dinner.

Thanks! Any other opinions out there? Has anyone done the dinner at Garden Grill? Did you like it?

Allyson

 

[mikymouse]

I vote for CM and no park. Our flight arrived at 2:15PM and we were able to get to the resort, check in and take the disney bus to our 5:25PM reversation. The kids 4 & 6 were completely exhausted after dinner and feel asleep early... we were able to get up early for EMH at MK the next day rested and ready.

 

[angeluna]

I agree. Chef Mickey's and the monorail sound fun. A great way to start. My kids were so hyped to be at Disney that they had a hard time calming down. I think the monorail and resorts would be a nice way to wind down the down. The hotels are beautiful at Christmas! Have fun!

 

[spookyuki]

We are going to Hoop Dee Doo.

We are gonna go to MK and look around a while and take a boat over
to Ft. Wilderness.

Then, take the boat back to catch the fireworks show.

We have 6 day admission tickets for 5 nights stay, might as well use them.


I am so excited probably more than my kid..

 

[jj13]

We have the same plan as spookuki - we typically get in on a Sat. afternoon.

The kids and DH go swimming while I go "provision" shopping at Winn Dixie.

Then we go see the Hoop De Doo Review - Wah Hoo!

 

[frannn]

I am a bigger kid than the young ones. Once we arrive at the resort, I'm chomping at the bit to get to a park. DH always wants to drop our luggage in the room, grab a bite at the food court, relax, etc. I can sleep when I get home to NY... Anyway, the past few years we have been doing Oct and the following Sept (to get two uses out of our APs). We try to take an early flight (DH wanted 7, I talked him into 8 am), so we can make it to MK in time for the parade, get the first glimpse of the castle, etc. We always end up having MK close early on the first two nights of of trip (MNSSHP and NOJ), so we hop over to MGM for Fantasmic, or Epcot for Illuminations. This year, we jumped on the free dining, and DH suggested booking the Fantasmic pkg for dinner. So, the first day plan (at least MY plan) is to drop the luggage at AS Movies (plane lands at 10:50 am), grab the bus to MK for lunch at Cosmic Ray's and a good seat for the parade, walk through the castle, one spin in HM or so, back to resort. Take the bus to MGM, eat at H&V, see Fantasmic, go back to the resort for the night.
If you and your kids can wait to visit the parks till the next day, CM is a good, fun experience that will make your day memorable. Depends on how good you are at waiting to see the castle....

 

[Snoopygirl]

I would suggest just going to CM for dinner. We aren't going to do a park on our arrival day either. We are just going to hang out at the resort and do some swimming. I'm sure the kids will be exhausted from traveling all day
Have a great trip!!!! I would love to do Disney during Christmas!

 

[pooh2001]

If you like a loud dinner - do Contemporary Chef Mickeys - food is OK
http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_cmk.htm
The food is prepared like a 3 star restaurant
For the kids:
CHILDREN'S FAVORITES - Chef Mickey's Macaroni and Cheese, Goofy's Cheese Pizza, Minnie's Vegetables, Chip & Dale's Tender Chicken
Check the website for adult selections


If you would like a more delicous buffet and more quiet character interaction,
I would do Grand Floridian 1900 Park Faire.
The food is prepared like a 4 star restaurant
http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/men_19d.htm
For the kids:
Children's Corner - chicken nuggets, cheese and macaroni, mini corn dogs, pasta marinara, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, niblet corn, cheese pizza and fresh vegetables
Check the website for adult selections


We save Chef Mickey's for our last dinner - we do 1900 Park Faire for our first dinner.

Both are on the monorail

Enjoy